The London Eye

The London Eye or also known as the Merlin Entertainments London Eye as well as the Millennium Wheel situated at the western end of Jubilee Gardens, on the South Bank of the River Thames in London, England. It’s one of the most visited tourist sites in the country. Standing at a height of 135 metres, the London Eye is also recognized as the largest Ferris wheel in Europe.

Participation in the construction process of the wheel took architects David Marks, Julia Barfield, Malcolm Cook, Mark Sparrowhawk, Steven Chilton and Nic Bailey. Foundation works were entrusted to consulting engineers Tony Gee & Partners while the Beckett Rankine was engaged to design the marine works.

On 31 December 1999 the Eye was officially opened by Tony Blair, who was then the Prime Minister of England. Some technical problems prevented the Eye to be open to the public until March 2000.

Since its establishment the Eye is under the direction of Merlin Entertainments.
On 1 January 2005 the Eye became a leading place for London’s New Year celebrations, including a 10-minute show with fireworks, fired from the wheel itself. The New Year’s celebration are still continue to be held there.

The London Eye hosts a pre-flight 4D Experience which was innovated by Merlin Entertainments. The Merlin Studios appointed Craig Sciba as designer of the project along with Kay Elliott as the principal architects and Simex-Iwerks as the 4D theatre hardware specialists. Script-writer and director of the film were respectively Julian Napier and Phil Streather.

Launching of the film to the audience was also accompanied by another event. On 12 August 2009 the London Eye got a new logo called “The Merlin Entertainments London Eye” which is intended to demonstrate the Merlin Entertainments’ ownership. The logo represents the real shape of an eye made out of one of the most significant London landmarks.

The London Eye wheel has 32 sealed and air-conditioned egg-shaped passenger capsules, each of which accommodates 25 people. Each capsule is provided with seats but also allows people to walk freely in it.

Address:
The London Eye
Riverside Building
County Hall
Westminster Bridge Rd SE1 7PB

Tel: +44 (0) 870 990 8883